Work at Height presentation for industries
- 2. 1. INTRODUCTION 2. CONDITIONS 3. HAZARDS 4. Risk 5. HIERARCHY OF CONTROL 6. PORTABLE LADDER SAFETY 7. SUMMARY CONTENTS
- 3. INTRODUCTION Work at Height means that there is a risk of fall from one level to a lower level and may cause physical or personal injury. Most of the deaths are recoded each year in construction/industrial work due to the fall from height. Over 40,000 deaths and disabling injuries result from falls every year worldwide. Falls are the number one cause of fatalities in the construction industry accounting for approximately 33% of all fatalities and 2nd most common cause of major injury / Fatalities to a person in General Industries. According to OSHA, fall prevention and protection must be implemented whenever work on the ground is unavoidable, especially at a height greater than 1.8 m above the reference level.
- 4. CONDITIONS Following are the conditions for declaring Work at Height 1. If there is work above the ground/floor level and there is a risk of fall. 2. If there is a risk of falling from the edge, the opening, or the fragile surface. 3. If there is a risk of fall from the ground/floor level into an opening or hole.
- 5. HAZARDS Height: Vertical distance is one of the hazards associated with working at height and is directly proportional to the consequences - injury / severity. Types of roofs: Hazards associated with two types of roofs, i.e. fragile roof and slopping/ pitched roofs. The fragile roof means that the roof is not designed to withstand the load of workers and has material strength only to resist the force of weather. A sloping roof means a roof that has an inclination of more than 10 degrees.
- 6. Degraded material: Hazard associated with the state of the structure in which the workers work. Unprotected edge: People working on an unprotected surface. HAZARDS
- 7. Inappropriate / unsecured access to the work platform: Includes lack of access, unsecured access, and unstable access. Bad weather: Rain, wet surface, strong wind, freezing conditions, etc. Unsecured/loose material on height: loose or unsecured material can fall on people. Unsafe practices: Throwing equipment from height or creating an obstacle due to piling or improper placement of equipment in the access. Incompetence: Incompetent people can build the unstable or unsafe work structure can lead to collapse. HAZARDS
- 8. RISK Fall A fall from any height, large or small has the potential to cause injury. The impact of the injury may range from a minor inconvenience to a serious injury all the way through to a possible fatality. Falling Objects Falling objects can also cause serious injuries if controls are not implemented to eliminate or minimise the associated risks. A person can receive fatal head injuries if an unsecured object is dropped from a height
- 9. Hierarchy of Control is a system that is used to minimize or eliminate risks associated with specific tasks or hazards. 1- Avoid working at height completely Where possible, use a plant equipment at ground level rather than a roof Example: Use a 'reach and wash system' to clean windows instead of a ladder. HIERARCHY OF CONTROL
- 10. 2- Prevent falls using a safe place to carry out work If you can’t avoid working at height, then designate a 'safe place' where work can be carried out with minimal risks. Additional protective equipment should not be necessary as preventative measures are already in place in this space. Example: A balcony or parapet. HIERARCHY OF CONTROL 3- Prevent falls using collective equipment Install a permanent system that offers a passive solution for multiple workers, such as a physical barrier.
- 11. HIERARCHY OF CONTROL 4- Minimize the impact of a fall If a fall cannot be avoided, then use collective equipment, such as airbags, to reduce the impact of the fall. 5- Use PPE: Fall arrest Fall arrest systems should only be used as a last resort. If a worker falls, fall arrest equipment stops the fall before he hits the surface.
- 12. Falls from portable ladders are one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities and injuries. • Ladder Inspection • 3-Point Contact • Use a self-supporting ladder as a single ladder • Use ladder only on a stable and level surface • 4 up, 1 out rule • Locks of extension ladder PORTABLE LADDER SAFETY
- 13. SUMMARY